It was not long ago that we wrote about frinXX, the German service that enabled users to buy drinks for friends remotely via Facebook. Now, in a similar vein, Pepsi’s new “Social Vending System”, lets users buy PepsiCo drinks for their friends through a digital vending machine. Users of the touch screen vending machine can choose to buy a drink for themselves, subscribe to the Pepsi Refresh Project, send a drink to a stranger, or to gift and redeem a drink from a friend. In order to send a gift, users choose a drink, enter the recipient’s name and mobile phone number, and type a personalized text message to be sent along with a unique code to the recipient’s phone. There is also the option to then record a video message using a camera built in to the vending machine. Once the text message has been received by the gift recipient, the code can be entered at a Pepsi social vending machine to redeem the gifted drink, and the pre-recorded video message will be played back on the touch screen. A report on Mashable claims ‘a PepsiCo rep says Facebook or other social media integration “are Phase 2 — being explored as it evolves’’. With or without any further development, this remains a fine example of an established brand innovating with social media. (Related: Pharmacy vending machine offers location-based specials through Foursquare — Vending machine rewards mental agility — Vending machines sell after-party shoes.) Spotted by: Florent Lesauvage